Christina Aguilera: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)

Christina Aguilera appeared on Star Search when she was eight years old and hasn’t stopped performing since. Christina Aguilera: A Biography traces the life and career of this exceptional performer, looking also at the historical, political, and philosophical influences that have affected and motivated her. Readers will learn about the little girl who used music to drown the horrors of domestic abuse, about the young television star who wowed audiences with a voice that spanned four octaves, and, of course, about the wildly successful artist of today.Offering a complete and balanced portrayal, the book begins with Aguilera’s childhood and ends with her current activities. It discusses early influences on her music, her father’s role in fost

The official companion to the upcoming musical motion picture event. In Burlesque, Christina Aguilera plays Ali, a small-town girl who follows her dreams to Los Angeles and finds work at an ailing theater owned by Tess (Cher). On her way toward stage success, Ali is helped by a sharp-witted stage manager (Stanley Tucci) and fabulous host (Alan Cumming), finds a friend (Julianne Hough) and a jealous enemy (Kristen Bell), falls for a bartender (Cam Gigandet), and receives an enticing proposal from a charismatic entrepreneur (Eric Dane). Breathtaking choreography, outrageous costumes, and original and classic songs make Burlesque the kind of brash and bold musical fans go mad for. Filled with scenes from the film, exclusive behind-the-scenes p

Although this biography is meant for the middle school/high school set, it’s a well detailed look at Christina’s life for adults as well a great source for a book report or class presentation for students.

The Greenwood Biographies series takes on the story of pop diva Christina Aguilera. Beginning with her birth to parents Fausto Aguilera (a U.S. Army Sergeant) and Shelly Fidler (a Spanish translator), little Christina grew up witnessing the horrific domestic violence her father inflicted on her mother and was sometimes a target herself. After the birth of second daughter Rachel, Shelly packed up her kids and moved to her mother’s home just outside of Pittsburgh. It was there that Christina’s grandmother discovered her love of singing and encouraged her to compete in local talent shows.

Not only did she have a love for jazz and blues (music way beyond her years), but Christina possessed a voice spanning four octaves so powerful she was deservedly billed “the little girl with the big voice”. It was amazing that a little Catholic girl from Pittsburgh sounded like a blues mama from the speakeasies and jazz clubs of the early 20th century when she opened her mouth.

Because she was getting so much attention for her talent, jealous classmates bullied her in school and the cruelty forced Aguilera’s family to move to a smaller Pittsburgh area called Wexford. Fortunately the pre-teen was able to be around other kids who also shared her passion for performing once she joined The Micky Mouse Club. Her castmates (including future stars Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling) nicknamed her “the Diva” for obvious reasons. By the age of 18, Christina hit the big time with the Genie image created by her label that she claimed was far from who she really was.

There’s coverage of the depression she fell into during the recording of her second album Stripped, which went on to become a big seller and garnered the singer a Grammy Award for Beautiful in February 2004. As well as her relationship and marriage to music exec Jordan Bratman that led to the birth of their son Max. Since the book was published in September, there’s no mention of her recent split from Jordan.

Author Mary Anne Donovan does a fine job of exploring topics like domestic violence statistics concerning military families and the evolution of pop music and MTV that tie in to Christina’s story rather than meandering in a longwinded fashion.

If you’re interested in taking a look at Christina’s life story, be sure to check this book out. It’s worth it.

If the movie reaches the level of these photographs,or the descriptions by the director Steven Antin-then the movie will be great entertainment. The director has had a love affair with the old art of true burlesque,and has gone to great lengths to transform his passion to this movie. There are plenty of pictures here to illustrate the film and please fans of all the stars. I for one am really thankful to see Cher at the helm of this project and chuckled when she described the coaching of tears out of Christina.The book is a good deal for the money!The paper is nice and all the actors have great shots of their performances.